Of the Worship of the Saints

1] Of the Worship of Saints they teach that the memory of saints may be set before us, that

we may follow their faith and good works, according to our calling, as the Emperor may

follow the example of David in making war to drive away the Turk from his country. 2] For

both are kings. But the Scripture teaches not the invocation of saints or to ask help of saints,

since it sets before us the one Christ as the Mediator, Propitiation, High Priest, and

Intercessor. 3] He is to be prayed to, and has promised that He will hear our prayer; and this

worship He approves above all, to wit, that in all afflictions He be called upon, 1 John 2, 1: 4]

If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, etc.

5] This is about the Sum of our Doctrine, in which, as can be seen, there is nothing that varies

from the Scriptures, or from the Church Catholic, or from the Church of Rome as known from

its writers. This being the case, they judge harshly who insist that our teachers be regarded as

heretics. 6] There is, however, disagreement on certain Abuses, which have crept into the

Church without rightful authority. And even in these, if there were some difference, there

should be proper lenity on the part of bishops to bear with us by reason of the Confession

which we have now reviewed; because even the Canons are not so severe as to demand the

same rites everywhere, neither, at any time, have the rites of all churches been the same; 7]

although, among us, in large part, the ancient rites are diligently observed. 8] For it is a false

and malicious charge that all the ceremonies, all the things instituted of old, are abolished in

our churches. 9] But it has been a common complaint that some abuses were connected with

the ordinary rites. These, inasmuch as they could not be approved with a good conscience,

have been to some extent corrected.

Articles In Which Are Reviewed

The Abuses Which Have Been Corrected

1] Inasmuch, then, as our churches dissent in no article of the faith from the Church Catholic,

but only omit some abuses which are new, and which have been erroneously accepted by the

corruption of the times, contrary to the intent of the Canons, we pray that Your Imperial

Majesty would graciously hear both what has been changed, and what were the reasons why

the people were not compelled to observe those abuses against their conscience. 2] Nor

should Your Imperial Majesty believe those who, in order to excite the hatred of men against

our part, disseminate strange slanders among the people. 3] Having thus excited the minds of

good men, they have first given occasion to this controversy, and now endeavor, by the same

arts, to increase the discord. 4] For Your Imperial Majesty will undoubtedly find that the form

of doctrine and of ceremonies with us is not so intolerable as these ungodly and malicious

men represent. 5] Besides, the truth cannot be gathered from common rumors or the

revilings of enemies. 6] But it can readily be judged that nothing would serve better to

maintain the dignity of ceremonies, and to nourish reverence and pious devotion among the

people than if the ceremonies were observed rightly in the churches.